Russia ensures crushing win at home Universiade

Russia won six times more gold medals than any other nation at its home Universiade world student games that wrapped up today after dozens of elite Russian athletes took part in the usually modest biennial event to boost national pride.
Russia won an astonishing 155 gold medals at the 27th Universiade, an event costing some USD 4.5 billion which the Kremlin turned into a major showcase for the multi-faith host city of Kazan on the Volga. No other nation could even touch Russia's dominance with China coming second in the gold medal tally with 26 golds and Japan third with 24.

Russia's political leaders were keen to show the nation has retained its Soviet-era sporting dominance ahead of the Winter Olympics in the southern Russian resort of Sochi in 2014, despite a series of let-downs in recent years.
The political importance of Universiade was underlined by the fact the games were visited by President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and virtually the entire Russian political elite since they opened on July 6.
After Russia failed to make the top three at the London 2012 Olympics and flopped at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, the authorities were keen to make a big show out of the Universiade, which was heavily promoted on state television.

While the Universiade aims to encourage talented but often not world-class students to take part in a multi-event games, Russia made sure that many of its most elite young athletes competed.

World-class long jumper Darya Klishina romped to victory in her event, as did Anastasia Zueva in the sprint backstroke and top-ranked tennis players Elena Vesnina and Anastasya Pavluchenkova in the women's doubles.
Visiting volleyball and water polo teams stood little chance as the hosts swept up all before them. The presence of stars like Russia's Olympic champion Aliya Mustafina ensured equal dominance in gymnastics.
Russia even managed to make a splash in sports where it is not traditionally strong, winning the mens and womens events in the rugby sevens.

The daily newspaper Vedomosti noted that Russia had stuffed its team with 18 Olympic champions to ensure the Kremlin could be presented with a overall victory.